Tray equipped chair



Feb. 15, 1944. A. G. FELDMAN TRAY EQUIPPED CHAIR Filed Dec. 26, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 I 2/ 3/ gJPUW Zdmz.

M2 dma Feb. 15, 1944. A. a. FELDMAIfl TRAY EQUIPPED crmm Filed Dec. 26, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 15, 1944 UNITED TAT-Es PATENT OFFICE- I. i CHAIR Abraham G. Feldman,

Storkline Furniture Chicago, Ill., assignor to Corporation,

Chicago, 111.,

a corporation of Illinois Application December 26, 1942, Serial No. 470,160 12-Claims. (01. 155-127) My invention relates totrayequipped chairs; -e. g.,high chairs; and-is particularly concerned with the provision of novel, simple and generally improved devices for detachably securing the trays tothe arms of the chairs.

Among the important objects ofithe invention are: i v

The provision of a chair and trayso -correlated and cooperating thatthe tray-may be manipiulated into attachment with .the chair without theplane ofthe tray beinginclined or tilted' f-rom thenhorizontal; V

, The provision of achair and trayso correlated and. cooperating that a quickly detachable connection. between the tray and one of the chair arms issufficient temporarily to support the tray horizontallyonnthat arm alone; The provision: of, a, tray. equipped .chairawhich need cQmnrise extremely. little or..n ometal, in: its cons ru tion; I ,lI'he provision of extremely simple, sturdy and eifcc v sdeyic s ,for. a tachin the ,tray .to ..the

.Qhai arms A al ntfeatlir of the presentinventionis a $1686 .QaI Q NmVQt-stud Whichsmay be manipu dinto a non etal. channel having ,one dead 1 forme in ,cne .ciihe chair ,al'ms, .m i fi e i ge th tray and a maeainst separation ep r etr erade. hc izc tal movement. of the ann l- P -Stud irom such .1 a he es nti .i atur o th inv nt on is an automaticall engag n manuall re easable, s enpre s et cto plunger .Whichsis car,- ried by the other chair arm and cooperates-with a cam block or keeper to hold the tray against separation from the, chair arms.

These and other features, objects and advantages of my'invention will appear from the following detailed description, ,whereinreierence is made to the accompanying two sheets of drawings in which: I

' "gure 1 is a view in perspective of a high chair embodying the pre'sentinvention; H v a Figure 2 is a sectional view taken in the vertical plane of the line 2-'2'0f Figure 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

"Figure3' is a. top plan view, taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2, which shows the pivot-studengaging in the blind end of its cooperating chair arm channel;

Figure 4 is a View of the under side of the chair arm which carries theaforesaid spring pressed detent or plunger, this view beingtaken in the pl cfih fina 9f isurez:

the tray, as depicted in fulllines, supported horizontally on but one of the chair arms;

Figure 6 is a sectional view which may be regardedas taken in the medial fore-and-aftvertical plane of the chair when the tray is carried by and attached toJJoth of depicted in Figure 1; i a

Figure '7 is a detailedview, in top plan, of a chairarm, which illustrates how thechannel :withtheoneblind end and the undercutsides maylhave its open end at the inner edge, rather thanethe end edge, of the arm; and

Figure 8 is a .fragmentary vertical sectional view which'may be regarded as takenonthe line .8-?8 .of Figure 7 and looking in the direction indicatedby the arrows.

:Similar characters-of reference refer to similar parts throughout .the severalviewa- In the drawings, It] indicates the seat, .H the leg structure, 12 the foot rest, 13 the back, l4 and I5 the-arms, and |6.-l6 .the arm supporting pins or spindles, of a highchair which; as thus far described, maybe quite conventional. .At H is a tray adaptedto be. manipulated into engagement with the arms .l4 and I5 as hereinafterexplained.

Referringfirst to Figures ,2, 3, 5 and 6, it will b e noted that a channel I8 is ,formedin the upper surface of arm l4. Such channel has anopen end; and a-dead end. ,The open end of the channel, in this instance, lies at the forward, end edge ofthe arm [4 and its dead end is laterally ofiset, as indicatedat l9, toward the outer side edge of the arm. The walls of the channelare undercut or dove-tailed as indicated by full lines in Figure the chair arms, as.

2 and as indicatedby dotted linesin Figures, 3

and 5. H

V Carried on the under sideof the tray H, at one end thereof, is a pivot-stud 20. Such pivot-stud is preferably of frusto-conica1 shape and ,is adapted to enter, move lengthwise of, and interengage withthe undercut walls of, the channel l8.

Carried on the underside of the .tray ll, near the other end thereof, is a cam block or keeper 2|. See Figures 2 and 5; Such cam block or keeper isprovided with a rounded nose 22 for camming engagement with, and an-aperture 23 for the reception of, the presently-to-be-men- ,tioned spring pressed .detent or plunger carried by the arm [5.

, By referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the under side of arm I5 is. provided with a mortise or irregularly shaped recess 24, inwhich is disnosedaleaf springzs. fiuchleafispringmhitth is suitably formed of plastic material, has one end anchored between a block 26 and the contiguous portion of the mortise wall. The other or free end of the leaf spring engages in the notch 21 of a detent or plunger 28. Such detent or plunger, which reciprocates in a transverse bore intersecting the mortise 24, is provided with a finger piece 29 for use in retracting it against the pressure of the leaf spring 26. The tip 30 of the plunger 28 is conformed for reception by the bore 23 of the previously mentioned cam that the pivot-stud, after having entered such block or keeper 2|.

If desired, a strap 3| may have one end attached to the bottom of tray H, with the other end of the strap provided-with a snap fastener grommet 32 adapted to cooperate. inthe usual manner with a snap fastener stud 33 carried on the front central portion -.of theunder side of the seat IE]. The purpose of the strap. 3l,.of course, is to prevent a child from slipping out of the chair-via the space between the tray and the chair: bottom. I

The tray ll, being readily detachable from the chair, may be brought to the chair laden with food. Then, by a simple-manipulation which does not require that the plane of the tray be inclined or tipped from -theyhorizontal, the frusto-conicai pivot-studZfl may be caused to enter the channel l8 and take a position at the blind end of the channel. Then, by swinging the horizontally disposed tray around the 'vertical pivot represented by the frusto-conical stud 2D, the tip 30 of the plunger 28 will be brought into engagement with the rounded nose 22 of the cam block orkeeper 2|, will recede under the resultant camming action, and will then'take a locking position in the aperture 23 of such cam block or keeper. Thus, the tray becomesfirmly locked to and upon both of the chair arms.

Upon manually withdrawing the plunger 28 from engagement with the cam block or keeper 2|, the tray readily may be manipulated out of engagement with the chairagain without there being any necessity for inclining or tipping the plane of the tray from the horizontal.

Figure 5 illustrates how the tray I! may be very safely supported, in a horizontal plane, upon only the chair arm l4 when, for instance, it is desirable to place a child in the chair before swinging the tray to the position in which it is locked to both of the chair arms.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a slightly modified embodiment of my invention wherein the channel l8 has its open end at the'inner side edge,

rather than at the end edge, of the chair arm 14 In this instance, because the channel extends transversely of the arm l4, it is not necessary or desirable to have the blind end of the channel offset as is the case in the preferred and earlier described embodiment of my invention.

Having thus illustrated and described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination with a chair and its arms, a tray, an upwardly opening channel presented by one of the arms, said channel having an open end and adead end, a pivot-stud carried 'at'one end of the tray, said pivot-stud adapted to enter the open end of such channel .and move :therein toward the dead end thereof," said channehand said pivot-stud being so conformed and related that "the pivot-stud, after having entered such channel, cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end, and detentdevices arranged to act'between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent such pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel.

2. In combination with a chair and its arms, a tray, an upwardly opening channel presented by one of the arms, said channel having an open end and a dead end, a pivot-stud carried at one end of the tray, said pivot-stud adapted to enter the open end of such channel and move therein toward the dead end thereof, said channel and sai dpivot-stud being so conformed and related channel,"'cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end, and detentdevices arranged to act between the other arm and'the' other end of the tray and to prevent such pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel, said detent devices comprising a keeper and a spring-urged plunger, one carried by the arm and the other by the tray,'said plunger being adapted to engage said keeper when the tray is swung upon'the, axis represented by said pivot-stud tothe position where said tray rests upon both of the arms.

3. In combination with 'a'chair and the arms thereof, a tray which, while being held in a'horizontal plane, may be manipulated into and' out of engagementwith the chair arms, a. channel at the top of one of the arms,'s'aid channel having an open end, a dead end, and. under-cut sides, a pivot-stud, carried'at one-end of the tray bot tom, adapted to enter and move in said channel and to engage beneath the under-cut sides of the channel, and detent devicesarranged to act'between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent such pivot-stud from receding from the dead endof said channel."

4. In combination with a; chair and its'arms, a' tray, 'anupwardly opening channel presented by one of the arms, said channel having an open end and a dead end, a pivot-stud carried at one end of the'tray, said pivot-stud adapted to'enter the open end of such channel and move therein towardthe dead end thereof, 'said channel and said pivot-stud beingso conformed andrelate'd that the pivot-stud," aftenhaving entered such channel, cannot'escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through'itsopen' end, and detent devices-arranged to act between'theother arni and the other end of"'tlietray and to prevent such pivot-studfromreceding' from thedead end of said'channel, said detent devices comprising akeeper carried on the underside of the tray and a" spring pressed'plunger carried by the arm, said plunger being adapted to engage said keeper when the tray is swung around the axis representedby said p vot-stud to "the position wherein the tray rests upon both of the arms.

5'. In combin tion with a'chair and its arms, a tray,-a channel at the top of one of the arms, said channel having an open end, a deadend and under-cut sides, a frusto-conical pivot-stud carried at oneend of thetray bottom. adapted to enterand move insaid' channel and to engage beneath the under cut sides'of the channel, and detent devices; arranged to act between the other 'arman'dthe other end of'th traytdprevent such pivotstud from recedingfrom the dead end fof said channel. j...

6. In combination with a chair and; itsfla'rms', a tray, a channel cutjin th'e'ftopoi onev of the arms, said channel having anopen. end" at the forward extremity of the arm,- extending lpnlgi which is offset toward-the outer side" of the-arm,

said channel having under-cut sides, a pivot-stud, carried at one end of the tray bottom, adapted to enter and move in said channel and to engage beneath the under-cut sides of the channel, and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent such pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel.

7. In combination with a chair and its arms, a tray, a channel cut in the top of one of the arms, said channel having an open end at the inner side of the arm, extending transversely of the arm, and having a dead end and under-cut sides, a pivot-stud, carried at one end of the tray bottom, adapted to enter and move in said channel and to engage beneath the under-cut sides of the channel, and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent such pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel.

8. In combination with a chair and its arms, a tray, an upwardly open channel formed in one of the arms, said channel having an open end and a dead end, said channel extending longitudinally of the arm and having its dead end oiTset toward the outer side of the arm, a pivotstud carried at one end of the tray, said pivotstud adapted to enter the open end of said channel and move therein toward the dead end thereof, said channel and said pivot-stud being so conformed and related that the pivot-stud, after having entered said channel, cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end, and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent said pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel.

9. In combination with a chair and its arms, a tray, an upwardly open channel formed in one of the arms, said channel having an open end and a dead end, said channel extending longitudinally of the arm and having its dead end ofiset toward the outer side of the arm, a pivot-stud carried at one end of the tray, said pivot-stud adapted to enter the open end of said channel and move therein toward the dead end thereof, said channel and said pivot-stud being so con-formed and related that the pivot-stud, after having entered said channel, cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end,

and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent said pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel, said detent devices comprising a keeper and a spring-urged plunger, one carried by the arm and the other by the tray, said plunger being adapted to engage said keeper when the trayis swung around the axis represented by said pivot-stud to the position where in the tray rests upon both of the arms.

' 10. In combination with a chair and its arms, 5 a tray, a channel cut in the top of one of the arms, said channel having an open end at the inner side of the arm, said channel extending transversely of the arm and having a dead end, a pivotstud carried at one end of the tray, said pivotstud adapted to enter the open end of said channel and more therein toward the dead end thereof, said channel and said pivot-stud being so conformed and related that the pivot-stud, after having entered said channel, cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end, and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent said pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel.

11. In combination with a chair and its arms,

a tray, a channel cut in the top of one of the arms, said channel having an open end at the inner side of the arm, said channel extending transversely of the arm and having a dead end, a pivot-stud carried at one end of the tray, said pivot-stud adapted to enter the open end of said channel and move therein toward the dead end thereof, said, channel and said pivot-stud being so conformed and related that the pivot-stud, after having entered said channel, cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end, and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent said pivotstud from receding from the dead end of said channel, said detent devices comprising a keeper and a spring-urged plunger, one carried by the arm and the other by the tray, said plunger being adapted to engage said keeper when the tray is swung around the axis represented by said pivot-stud to the position wherein the tray rests upon both of the arms.

12. In combination with a chair and its arms, a tray, a channel presented by one of the arms, said channel having an open end and a dead end, a pivot-stud carried at one end of the tray, said pivot-stud adapted to enter the open end of such channel and move therein toward the dead end thereof, said channel and said pivot-stud being so conformed and related that the pivot-stud, after having entered such channel, cannot escape therefrom except by retrograde movement through its open end, and detent devices arranged to act between the other arm and the other end of the tray and to prevent such pivot-stud from receding from the dead end of said channel.

ABRAHAM G. FELDMAN. 

